undermine
|un-der-mine|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/
weaken gradually
Etymology
Etymology Information
'undermine' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'underminen,' where 'under-' meant 'below' and 'minen' meant 'to mine or dig.'
Historical Evolution
'underminen' transformed into the modern English word 'undermine' through gradual linguistic evolution.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to dig under,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to weaken or damage.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to weaken or damage something, especially gradually or insidiously.
The constant criticism served to undermine his confidence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40